2 days before 2008

Yesterday, my brother and I fetched my parents from the airport. Since it's almost lunch time we trotted to the nearest mall, SM Mall of Asia for that matter. I parked the car then went straight to the resto. Mann Hann, a chinese restaurant that has some cross with filipino dishes. Called a waiter, asked for the menu, and ordered in a flash (yes, we were hungry).

We ordered a lot. There were Fried Lumpia, Sweet and Sour Pork, Broccolli in oyster sauce, Oyster Cake (sounds weird but tastes ok), Lechon Kawali, Yang Chow Fried Rice, and it was all drowned by Honey Lemon Iced Tea.

After we had our very filling lunch we had a stroll inside the mall. But lo and behold, not far away was another disaster waiting to happen..... A Krispy Kreme outlet has opened!! Off I go to the counter to check out my just "desserts" (pun intended). The store was located under the stairs near the National Bookstore branch inside the center building.

Walking along we noticed the huge christams tree set-up inside the mall. My mom and brother found it as a photo op. Since most of the people were gathering near the mall Santa, we settled for the side of the christmas tree.


Finally getting tired of walking and couldn't really buy anything (heck, even cdr king was jam packed!). We eventually decided to head home. As I really wanted to chow down my KK take out. By the way, I couldn't go home without a souvenir.

Shop Class

I just finished watching "James May: My Sisters' Top Toys" (For those who don't know. James May is a presenter in Top Gear. An automotive show presented by BBC in the greater part of Europe). It was about the toys his sisters, including him, grew up with.

Anyways, while I was watching the show it just occured to me that here in the Philippines when we say shop class it just deals with basic circuitry. Usually a bulb, bulb base, a few wires, battery and a switch. On wood works, a hammer, nail and a board. Projects usually come pre-assembled. In creating figurines the mold could be pre ordered not made by hand. We're usually spoon fed.

In Europe or even in the U.S. shop class means you actually get to create things. They we're taught how to use heavy machinery and power tools. They carve the wood to the desired shape, weld iron together, use milling machines to create precision metal parts.

They were taught how to weild metals to the desired form. Heating and hammering the iron or metal to get the desired output. To turn them to useful things or pieces of artwork. They were taught basic engineering. (not to mention basic automotive skills).

These things are actually being taught to them in school. Which is far from being done here in the Philippines. I came from a private school and we were no where near on what they are being taught. Here you have to enroll yourself to do these things. I was wondering why they didn't teach us these things? Are they too scared that we might get hurt? Or schools won't teach these stuff to cut costs of buying the expensive equipment and added teachers to teach? I don't know. Some schools even teach electronics. Creating robots even in grade school. I couldn't even solder even if my life depended on it. I just wish I knew how to do stuff like that. And I wish I had the resources to try it out for myself and enroll my self in short courses just to add to what I can do. Just my .02 cents.

Best Motoring March 2006

Does anybody out there have this? If so, email me at kabitenyo.ako(@)gmail(dot)com. thanks!

My car is back!!

Just got my car back from my mechanic friend. It was a long overdue major overhaul. If you remember the line from Vin Diesel's character from the Fast and the Furious about Paul Walker's character frying his piston rings? Well.... that just happened to my car. As they cracked open the engine the piston rings were not up to speck in terms of clearance due to old age. While the oil rings were "fried" thus was stuck up and couldn't hold down the oil from entering the combustion chamber. (My engine was bought second hand from japan as it was never released locally)

Before I could leave the car to my friend's care. I had to source out the parts. I had to search the net for the overhauling kit for my engine. Luckily, the local Toyota plant had one in stock. Next was the piston rings. That took me awhile to source one. With a stroke of luck Shagee, from Autotech (found in Quirino Ave in Manila), just imported two sets. I bought one set from him. Thanks Shagee!

The next problem was the schedule on when I could leave the car. My wife works in the call center so I had to drive her to and from work. Since she was usually on the night shift it was imperative that I do it. (Lots of lawless elements lurk during the wee hours in the metro) Then my dad told me that he and my mom will be going to the province for the Christmas. Perfect! I now have a spare car!

So on the 26th of December I left my car with Remy (my mechanic friend) and he promised me that I could get the car back by the 28th. His promise was good as gold as the car was ready by the afternoon of the 28th. Off to Anabu, Cavite to get my car and it was good to go! Gave him what I owe him and rushed to try the car out. It was great! It had it's power back but I think I should still take it easy because the rings hadn't fully seated. After a few days i'll go test it somewhere, maybe in Daang Hari if I could bring the car to the tracks.

autotech - 02-4043594 (they usually open around 10am)

remy - 0920-4246056 (if you're from imus, dasma, or bacoor area)

My first crack at auto-x

I always wanted to join some sort of legal form of car racing as i wanted to try out the car on how it handled or how it feels. Opportunity presented itself last October 2007 when Grupo Toyota (a toyota enthusiast group - more like a second family) sposored an auto-x event in cooperation with Shago Racing. It was held at Hobbies of Asia located along Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City. I was nervous because my car's not in tip top shape because it badly needed an overhaul. Nevertheless i threw caution out the window, filled the tank with enough gas, set aside a pocket money for entrance and food for the day, and topped the engine with oil - just in case.

The day started with briefing by Mang Danny of Shago Racing of the does on dont's on the track, with the car and around the track. The agenda started with the proper attire. One, we need a helmet. Any kind of helmet that would at least give some sort of protection to the old noodle. Two, no slippers or flip flops are allowed because it could hinder the proper use of pedals. Lastly, we should at least wear pants in case something bad happens, the legs are protected. Next was tire pressure. He said that it's not always necessary to fill the same tire pressure with each car. It varies from one track to another. Brakes should be working and no leaking fluids coming from the car. Inside the car, the seatbelts should also be working. He also demonstrated the proper seating position. Back should be straight and the wrist should touch the top of the steering wheel so when seated comfortably there is enough room to turn the wheel. For his parting words, Enjoy! And enjoy we will!

After the briefing we had a "track walk" so we could all be familiar with the track layout first hand. The track was a tight one. You blast out of the gates from first and before you could shift to second you will be turning right and a series of slalom cones will be welcoming you then a "ribbon" (left turn going to a u-turn then forward a little to tackle the next cone to the left with a 360 then last a cone that you enter like a hook before going back to the slalom cones) back to the slalom cones, you turn right after it then another set of slalom cones before the goal gate. It was tight i tell you!

We we're then let loose on the track! (mwahahahaha!!) As you could see on the pic there is bluish white smoke trailing from my car.

Now a view from behind. See what i meant with white smoke? The engine badly needed an overhaul but the temptation of an auto-x event was much stronger. The day ended without a hitch. I was tired, sweaty, my wallet was almost empty from all the drinks and food that I bought (i had nothing to do between runs and it was really hot!). Over all it was a good learning experience. Hope I can do it again.

*pics came from my GT brothers. lots of thanks! i forgot to bring my camera. hahaha
*you could visit the GT forums at www.grupotoyota.com.ph/forum/index.php

my first blog

Welcome to my first try at blogging. I will try to update the page as I go. I haven't created a web page for ages so bare with me.